Canadian Version - Amalgamated Transit Union

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION|AFL-CIO/CLC
IN TRANSIT MAGAZINE HAS GONE
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016
“After 30 years
of driving a bus...
what’s left?”
See page 9
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
LAWRENCE J. HANLEY
International President
JAVIER M. PEREZ, JR.
International Executive Vice President
OSCAR OWENS
International Secretary-Treasurer
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
LARRY R. KINNEAR
Ashburn, ON – [email protected]
RICHARD M. MURPHY
Newburyport, MA – [email protected]
BOB M. HYKAWAY
Calgary, AB – [email protected]
JANIS M. BORCHARDT
NEWSBRIEFS
Mississauga makes public transit affordable for all
About 2,500 of Mississauga’s low-income residents will pay 50
per cent less for a monthly transit pass for six months as part
of an ongoing pilot program. Recognizing affordable access to
public transit gives residents with limited financial means a way
to get to a job and community services, councillors unanimously
approved funds to help design, implement and evaluate Phase 2 of
Mississauga’s Affordable Transportation Pilot Program.
Madison, WI – [email protected]
PAUL BOWEN
Canton, MI – [email protected]
KENNETH R. KIRK
Lancaster, TX – [email protected]
GARY RAUEN
Clayton, NC – [email protected]
MARCELLUS BARNES
Flossmore, IL – [email protected]
RAY RIVERA
Lilburn, GA – [email protected]
YVETTE TRUJILLO
Thornton, CO – [email protected]
GARY JOHNSON, SR.
Cleveland, OH – [email protected]
ROBIN WEST
Halifax, NS – [email protected]
JOHN COSTA
Kenilworth, NJ – [email protected]
CHUCK WATSON
Syracuse, NY – [email protected]
CLAUDIA HUDSON
Oakland, CA – [email protected]
BRUCE HAMILTON
New York, NY – [email protected]
MICHELLE SOMMERS
Brooklyn Park, MN – [email protected]
JIM LINDSAY
Santa Clarita, CA – [email protected]
A bumpy ride for Niagara Falls transit changes
Proposals to change bus service in Niagara Falls, ON, is part of
the city’s 2016 operating budget deliberations, but transit workers
and riders – the people most impacted - say the decisions are
being made without their feedback. “We were simply told they
(the changes) were happening,” said Margaret Gilbert, president
of Local 1582, representing the Niagara Falls Transit workers.
“Our members want to work in collaboration with the city.”
One bus driver put it simply “drivers want to work for a better system, too. We want to look
forward to the job every day”.
ATU Canada reveals new logo
ATU Canada has unveiled a brand new logo for the newly-formed
Canadian ATU organization. The winning logo was chosen by a
vote of the ATU Canada membership from logos sent in by ATU
Canada members. The winner was submitted by Randy McNally,
a member of Local 107-Hamilton, ON.
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
ANTHONY WITHINGTON
Sebastopol, CA – [email protected]
DENNIS ANTONELLIS
INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS EMERITUS
STEPHAN MACDOUGALL
International President Jim La Sala, ret.
International President Warren George, ret.
Spokane, WA – [email protected]
Boston, MA – [email protected]
ANTHONY GARLAND
Washington, DC – [email protected]
ANTONETTE BRYANT
Oakland, CA – [email protected]
SESIL RUBAIN
New Carrollton, MD – [email protected]
EMANUELE SFORZA
Toronto, ON – [email protected]
ATU CANADA
PAUL THORP
Brampton, ON – [email protected]
International Executive Vice President Ellis Franklin, ret.
International Executive Vice President Mike Siano, ret.
Subscription: USA and Canada, $5 a year. Single copy: 50 cents. All others: $10 a year. Published bimonthly by the
Amalgamated Transit Union, Editor: Shawn Perry, Designer: Paul A. Fitzgerald.Editorial Office: 5025 Wisconsin Ave., NW,
Washington, DC 20016-4139. Tel: 1-202-537-1645. Please send all requests for address changes to the ATU Registry Dept.
ISSN: 0019-3291. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40033361.RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES
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CONTENT
JAN/FEB
2016
Vol. 125, No. 1
12 Bridj, Ford contracted to provide Kansas City
transit service
13 What you may not know about Uber and
other on-demand transit companies
14 ATU wins First Amendment victory on the
heels Grand Rapids fare strike
UNIONS TELL GOVERNMENT TPP THREATENS
JOBS, FOOD SAFETY AND MORE
4
15 Memphis Bus Riders Union fighting for
transportation that ‘puts riders first’
ATU Lincoln, riders push for better
public transit
Louisiana Local, riders, allies push for
more funding
17 ATU, disability community form coalitions to
fight for improved service, just wages
18 ATU to Las Vegas RTC: ‘Drivers are
routinely exhausted’
FATAL BUS ACCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS GROWING
BLIND SPOT PROBLEM
16
2 International Officers & General Executive Board
News Briefs
Louisville Local calls for greater protection
of members
ATU loses Dallas hero in tragic accident
19 Winnipeg gets proactive about rider
conduct, safety
20 DC MetroAccess riders, drivers, allies
join forces, voice complaints
21 Toledo member goes ‘above and beyond’
to help victims of Flint water crisis
3 Index Page
5 Local officers lay out concerns prior to
negotiations in Regina
22 Local alerts public about need for safety
on KC buses
23 2016 training program underway at
ATU Tommy Douglas Center
Halifax Transit to provide discounted
low-income riders passes
6 Canadian Agenda: Good sense prevails:
Government moves to repeal C-377, C-525
7 Edmonton passes rules for on-demand,
app-based operators
8 ATU Endorses Senator Bernie Sanders
for President
9 International President’s Message:
Passion and maturity
10 International Executive Vice President’s
Message: The audacity to make things happen
11 International Secretary-Treasurer’s Message:
Koch brothers counting on you sitting this
election out
Cincinnati Local votes ‘no confidence’
in Metro CEO
24 Save the Date - 58th International Convention
25 Job numbers highlight urgent need for EI reform
26 TSB makes recommendations in wake of 2013
bus-train crash
27 Ottawa transit workers ratify new agreement
before expiration of current contract
Manitoba workers’ comp now covers PTSD
Windsor Transit struggles to keep aging
buses on the road
28 Translations (French)
31 In Memoriam
32 The ATU mobile app
IN TRANSIT
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3
Unions tell government
TPP threatens jobs, food
safety and more
The federal government signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) in February and Canada is now locked into a twoyear countdown to ratify the deal, despite the controversy
surrounding it.
Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff has
written Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland providing a
detailed list of Canadian unions’ concerns with the TPP,
including the following major threats:
Corporations get more power, workers
largely unprotected
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) is a provision in
many trade agreements, which allows massive corporations
to directly sue democratically-elected governments, in
an unaccountable system separate from national courts, in
order to protect and expand their profits.
While corporations are given more rights, workers’ rights
remain almost totally unprotected under multinational trade
agreements like the TPP.
Massive job losses in auto industry In 2014, approximately 40,000 Canadians worked in
motor vehicle manufacturing and another 70,000 in parts
manufacturing. A study by Unifor found the TPP could
lead to the loss of 20,000 jobs in the Canadian auto
sector alone.
Lower food safety standards
The TPP makes it harder for the Canadian government
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January/February 2016 | IN TRANSIT
to introduce new or maintain existing regulations such as
safety standards, even when they are in the public’s interest. Under the TPP, our ban on bovine growth hormone, and
other regulations designed to protect consumers, could
be challenged as a “trade barrier.”
Higher prescription drug costs
Canada already has the second-highest per capita drug
costs in the world. The TPP gives even more monopoly
patent protection to drug companies than they currently
have, meaning it will take longer for Canadians to access
cheaper, generic versions of drugs. Companies could prevent countries
from fighting climate change
By virtue of the TPP and previous trade agreements,
government can no longer attach conditions to procurement
contracts to foster local economic development or ensure
environmental standards.
This restriction will likely mean that governments will not
be able to maximize the job spinoff of large infrastructure
projects, such as those that are expected in the fight against
climate change. For example, the TPP would prevent a
government from requiring local sourcing in order to foster
green industry. With ISDS, corporations will also be able to challenge the
regulations required to fight climate change if they deem
them to be unreasonable or unfair obstacles to carry on
their business activities. As a result, the TPP will put a
chill on governments taking the steps necessary to fight
climate change. v
Local officers lay out
concerns prior to
negotiations in Regina
Halifax Transit to
provide discounted
low-income riders
passes
“Transit isn’t a very high priority” for the City,” laments Local President Don
Baker, 588-Regina, SK, pointing to recent cuts in funding – a charge the city’s
transit director rejects.
But, the Baker, a 15-year Regina Transit veteran, explains that the city needs to buy
more buses and build more time into route schedules to catch up with the growth
and increased ridership taking place in the area.
Contract negotiations coming
The current contract between the Local and the City won’t expire until
December, but Baker and Local Vice President Kevin Lucier are already making
the case for changes their members would like to see in the future.
“Our scheduling that we give to the passengers is essentially our promise to
the people. If we can’t maintain that bus on time, they’re not going to ride,”
asserts Lucier.
As for the contract, Baker says, “We’re not asking for the moon, but we’re asking
for what’s fair. That means increased wages to catch up with other jurisdictions.
Added part-time job needed to buy a house
“It’s not just about money,” Baker insists, “but it would sure be nice to get up
to a decent wage where you don’t have to find a part-time job to be able to buy
a house.”
The agency is also having trouble retaining good drivers. They blame the split shift
(8 hours over the course of 14) that some have to work for the problem.
“That’s why we’re losing people,” says the local president. (20 – 25 operators per year).
Keeping mechanics
Keeping mechanics is also a problem in Regina just as it is at many other properties
across the nation. The union thinks it would help to make the current wage
“supplement” a permanent part of their regular wage.
It’s taken two years, but it looks like
Halifax (NS) Transit will offer a
limited number of bus passes to lowincome Haligonians during a sixmonth trial period sometime after
April.
The pilot project will provide 500
bus passes for $39 per month to
families making less than $31,000,
or less than Statistics Canada’s lowincome cut-off amount, which varies
with family size.
The initial program, however, will
not be available to the 13,000 people
already receiving a transportation
allowance from the Employment
Support and Income Program, nor
will it begin to address the restricted
mobility of 34,000 municipal
residents who fall below Statistics
Canada’s poverty line. v
“I’m afraid if we don’t get some of this stuff, the user’s going to suffer,” Baker worries.
It’s worth noting that the Local was forced to resort to a work-to-the-rule job
action, and received a lockout notice before it reached an agreement in 2013. v
IN TRANSIT
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5
Canadian Agenda
Good sense prevails: Government
moves to repeal C-377, C-525
Canadian unions are pleased that the federal government
has tabled legislation to repeal controversial bills C-377
and C-525. • More than half (57%) of Canadians who initially
These bills were designed to weaken unions by forcing
redundant and unreasonable financial reporting, and
by making it more difficult for Canadians in federally
regulated workplaces to join a union, respectively. • Canadians who appealed their denial of benefits
Bill was attempt to undermine unions
“This proves what we’ve been saying all along: that these bills
were nothing more than an attempt to undermine unions’
ability to do important work like protecting jobs, promoting
health and safety in the workplace, and advocating on behalf
of all Canadian workers,” says Canadian Labour Congress
(CLC) president Hassan Yussuff. “We are pleased that this new government recognizes the
importance of fair labour relations, and supports the role of
unions in the workplace.
“Bill C-377 was pushed through Parliament by the last
government in power despite loud opposition from many
different groups…We commend Minister Mihychuk for
her leadership in repealing this legislation and restoring a
balanced labour relations framework for federal workers,”
he says.
Pension Plan Disability failing most
vulnerable Canadians
Canada’s Auditor General Michael Ferguson recently released
a damning report on the state of the Canada Pension Plan
Disability (CPPD) program. Among the findings:
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January/February 2016 | IN TRANSIT
applied for CPPD benefits in the 2014-15 fiscal
year were denied. had to wait on average for almost 2 ½ years – or
more than twice as long to get a decision under
the Social Security Tribunal (SST) than the
previous system. • The SST was set up under the Conservatives and
has been a disaster. Since it was set up in 2013,
backlogged appeals have grown to 10,871 cases.
• One in three Canadians who filed appeals to the
SST in fact qualified for the CPPD benefits, even
though they were denied at the first two levels of
decision-making. • Even terminally ill applicants found themselves
waiting longer for a decision on benefit eligibility.
Only 7% of terminally ill applicants had a
decision within 48 hours in 2015. “Many Canadians with long-lasting and severe disabilities
are waiting for years to see if they can even access Canada
Pension Plan Disability benefits. It’s a disgrace,” says CLC
President Hassan Yussuff. “The CPPD program needs to
be fixed. Canadian workers should not be forced through
an arduous application process and years of appeals to get
the help they need when they need it most.” v
Edmonton passes rules for on-demand,
app-based operators
“Convenient”, “innovative”, “inexpensive” – these are
words that advocates often use to extol the virtues of
on-demand, app-based transportation services such as
Uber and Lyft. However, opponents, particularly taxicab
drivers, are more apt to use words like “disruptive”,
“predatory”, and “illegal” to describe these new mobile
device dependent operations.
The Edmonton, AB, City Council is attempting to address
these concerns head-on with a by-law that took effect
March 1, and only time will tell if the new legislation will
actually level the playing field between the new services
and taxis.
The outcome will have significance for public transit
agencies and their workers as well – as crowd-sourced
private transit companies such as Bridj essentially rely on
the same technology and business model as these private
transportation providers (PTPs).
Complex
The issue is complex. On-demand services threaten to put
traditional transportation properties out of business, even
as they exploit their own drivers by lowering fares without
decreasing the commissions they must pay to make their
vehicle available on mobile devices.
The by-law will allow taxis and PTPs to operate under the
following rules:
• Only traditional taxis will be allowed to pick up
street hails or fares waiting at taxi stands.
• Ride-sharing drivers can only arrange to pick up
customers through an app.
• No vehicle-for-hire can operate without
provincially approved commercial insurance.
Criminal record checks and an annual vehicle inspection
by licensed garages and mechanics are also required. Fines
for operating without a city driver’s licence or city vehicle
licence will be $5,000, and regular enforcement of
unlicensed vehicles for hire will continue.
Uber is happy with the new regulations, which essentially
legalized their Edmonton operation. But, Pascal Ryffel,
spokesperson for the “Driving for Equality Campaign”,
says, “This bylaw is essentially exactly what Uber has asked
for since the beginning.”
‘Shame! Shame!’
The taxi drivers who crowded into the session in which the
new law was passed were not appeased. They disrupted the
proceedings with their own loud objections, and shouted,
“Shame! Shame!” as they were ordered out of the council
room.
The new by-law requires the Council to revisit minimum
and maximum PTP and taxi fares six months from now.
So the city will be able to evaluate the effectiveness and
fairness of the new rules. v
• All vehicles for hire must charge a minimum of
$3.25 per trip.
• Rates above the $3.25 minimum can be negotiated
between the PTP or taxi, and the customer.
Under the new law, drivers have to provide the city with
proof of the proper insurance and class of driver’s licence.
IN TRANSIT
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7
ATU Endorses
Senator Bernie Sanders
for President
Silver Spring, MD – Pointing to the urgent need for a
candidate who fights for working families; who stands up
to Wall Street and the billionaire class, who will break
with politics as usual, the Amalgamated Transit Union
General Executive Board voted in March to endorse
Senator Bernie Sanders for President.
“The sincerity of Bernie Sanders and his long standing
fidelity to the issues that are so important to working
people are what convinced us that standing with Bernie
is standing with the 99% of America that has been left
out of the mainstream public debate, cheated out of jobs
and denied the true meaning of the American dream,”
said ATU International President Larry Hanley in making
the announcement.
“His unabashed support of civil rights, public services,
free tuition at public colleges, increases in Social Security
and the minimum wage, make him an ideal candidate.
But the labor movement owes Senator Sanders so much
for his consistent opposition to right wing programs and
his championing of first-rate healthcare for all – which is
already the global standard,” Hanley continued.
ATU is recommending that members vote for Bernie in
the primaries and caucuses that remain. The union also
plans to mobilize members across the country in support
of Sanders’ campaign
“We reject the idea that these vital programs are
unattainable and resent the notion that we as a country
can afford unlimited and unquestioned expenses for
war, but must withstand the “Tea Party Test” on every
investment in our own people. The attempt to belittle
what so many of us believe in and what Senator Sanders
has brought to the national stage is antithetical to the
progressive history of the Democratic Party.”
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January/February 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Hanley recalled the brave words of Robert F. Kennedy in
South Africa in 1966 in announcing ATU’s support of
Senator Sanders:
“‘There is discrimination in this world, and slavery
and slaughter and starvation. Governments repress
their people; millions are trapped in poverty while the
nation grows rich and wealth is lavished on armaments
everywhere. These are differing evils, but they are the
common works of man. They reflect the imperfection of
human justice, the inadequacy of human compassion,
our lack of sensibility towards the suffering of our
fellows. But we can perhaps remember – even if only for
a time – that those who live with us are our brothers;
that they seek – as we do – nothing but the chance to
live out their lives in purpose and happiness, winning
what satisfaction and fulfillment they can.’
“Today we remember those words and are proud to stand
with the candidate who was arrested fighting for civil
rights, had the judgment and courage to vote against a
senseless war, stood up to the drug companies, the banks
and Wall Street and remained loyal to the common
struggling worker. In the spirit of Bobby Kennedy we ask
our members to stand with Bernie Sanders.”
“This is no ordinary time in U.S. history and our
nation is crying out for a leader who owes nothing to
the corporate interests responsible for undermining the
American middle class,” says Hanley. “Our executive
board recognizes what’s at stake in this election and have
made the bold decision of endorsing Bernie Sanders for
President. Bernie is right for working people and right for
America.” v
Job numbers highlight urgent
need for EI reform
The Liberal government has promised to review and
improve the program, but Yussuff says there are urgently
needed reforms that can be immediately implemented.
“Fewer than 40% of unemployed Canadians – and
fewer than 37% of unemployed Albertans – are receiving
EI,” says Yussuff. “Part of the problem is that workers
run out of benefits before they can find a new job.” The immediate reforms the CLC hopes to see include:
• Temporarily extending EI benefits for an
The Canadian Labour Congress says February’s job numbers
from Statistics Canada highlight the need for the kind of
economic stimulus that urgently needed Employment
Insurance (EI) reforms would produce now.
The job market was stagnant in January and unemployment
rose to 7.2 percent. In Alberta, unemployment rose to 7.4
percent, the first time it has been above the national average
since 1988. additional five weeks to help displaced workers
who risk exhausting their benefits while hunting
for hard-to-find jobs. This would be especially
helpful in hardest hit regions where jobs are
especially scarce.
• Returning to the previous definition of “suitable
employment” and restoring the “best 14 weeks”
pilot programs that created a single national
standard for determining benefit levels. • Eliminating the eligibility requirement of 910
Unemployment up
Over the past year, unemployment has risen by 123,000
workers across the country: more than half of these
(69,000) are in Alberta. Most job creation has been in
Ontario, while other provinces continue to struggle with
slack labour markets. Self-employment has grown twice as fast (1.3%) as
employment (0.6%). Private sector job growth continues
to be weak, adding only 30,000 jobs over the past 12
months – a growth rate of only 0.3%. Two sectors account
for most job growth over the last year — health care and
social assistance added 90,000 positions, and professional,
scientific, and technical services added 38,000 positions.
hours of insured employment for new entrants
and re-entrants to the labour market to make
access to EI fairer, especially for young workers
and new Canadians.
• Hiring staff to make up for years of devastating
cuts under the Conservatives to help eliminate
unacceptable delays faced by workers trying to
get benefits approved, decisions on appeals, or
questions answered. • Implementing the election promise for an increase
of $200 million in funding for provincial literacy
and essential-skills training aimed at those who
don’t qualify for EI. While it’s not part of EI,
it would help where it’s needed most. v
“These job numbers and the slow economic growth we’re
seeing now demonstrate the need for the kind of immediate
stimulus that would come from urgently needed fixes to
the employment insurance program,” says CLC President
Hassan Yussuff.
IN TRANSIT
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25
TSB makes
recommendations
in wake 2013
bus-train crash
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released
the results of its investigation into the September 2013
collision between an OC Transpo bus and a VIA Rail
train in Ottawa, ON, identifying numerous factors that
contributed to the fatal crash.
Those factors included company practices, work-related
driving distractions, speed, the configuration of the
Transitway, and bus crashworthiness.
As a result of the collision, the train derailed and the bus
was extensively damaged. Six people, including the bus
driver, died, and 34 passengers sustained injuries. There
were no injuries to the crew or passengers on the train.
Lights, bells, gates were functional
On September 18, 2013, at 8:47 am, an OC Transpo
double-decker bus left the Fallowfield Bus Station in
South Ottawa enroute to downtown Ottawa along the
Transitway. Around the same time, the automatic warning
devices, consisting of flashing lights, bells and gates at the
Woodroffe Avenue and Transitway railway crossings were
activated and fully functional.
Meanwhile, VIA Rail passenger train No. 51 was
approaching these crossings. The train was within normal
operating parameters and was slowing down to approach
the Fallowfield train station. When the train crew realized
that the bus would not stop in time, the emergency brakes
were activated. About three seconds before impacting the
train, the bus driver released the throttle and applied the
brakes 35.6 metres away from the point of collision. The
accident occurred just 39 seconds after the bus left the
passenger terminal.
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January/February 2016 | IN TRANSIT
15 interrelated findings
“This complex investigation identified 15 inter-related
findings that played a part in this tragedy,” says TSB Chair
Kathy Fox. “Remove even one, and this may have had a
very different outcome. But because of this accident, we
are calling for concerted action to reduce the risk of railway
crossing accidents.”
The main question focused on “Why didn’t the bus
driver see the train and stop in time?” The investigation
determined that, while accelerating toward the railway
crossing, the bus was negotiating a significant left curve in
the road. The driver’s view of the crossing was obstructed,
and there was only a short time when the activated crossing
signals were visible to the driver.
During this critical time, the driver was also distracted
by surrounding conversations about seating on the upper
deck, and by the perceived need to monitor the upper deck
on a small screen that was positioned up and to the left
of the driver’s seat and to make an announcement about
no standing on the upper deck. At the speed the bus was
travelling, the driver was unable to stop in time, even after
passengers began to shout “stop”.
“Given the same circumstances, this accident could have
happened to just about any driver,” said Rob Johnston, the
investigator-in-charge.
To address the major safety deficiencies identified in the
investigation, the Board has issued five recommendations that
deal with the installation and use of in-vehicle video displays,
crashworthiness standards, data recorders for commercial
passenger buses, and grade separations at busy railway crossings,
both in Ottawa and across Canada. v
Ottawa transit workers ratify new
agreement before expiration of
current contract
Windsor Transit
struggles to keep
aging buses on
the road
Local 279 ratified a new agreement with the City of Ottawa in February that
could bring labour peace to the city’s transit system for the next four years. The
deal includes pay increases, premiums for overnight and evening shifts, and
improvements to benefits. The current contract expires on March 31, 2016.
The new contract changes the way drivers are assigned and paid for overtime.
Overtime work will now be offered in eight hour shifts and given to the most senior
eligible employees that comply with overtime guidelines.
A “letter of understanding” is also included in the contract giving bus drivers the
right to apply to become light rail operators when the Confederation Line opens
in 2018. v
With money for capital expenditures
becoming as scarce as operating funds,
Canadian transit agencies are finding it
just as hard to keep their aging buses on
the road as systems in America.
Windsor, ON, has a particularly big
problem as many of its buses are
well overdue for replacement. In fact,
it would cost almost $14 million to
bring Windsor Transit up to industry
standards.
Forty-eight of Windsor’s buses are over
15 years old, and two even date back to
1986 – that’s 30 years – well past their
projected useful left of 12 years.
Manitoba workers’ comp now
covers PTSD
Parts not available
for old buses
In what is being called a “first” for
Canada, the Province of Manitoba will
now provide workers’ compensation for
employees who miss work due to posttraumatic stress disorder, or “PTSD.”
The move is seen as recognition that
many public service employees such as
first-responders, and transit workers,
endure experiences on the job that make
it difficult to immediately return to work.
Transit workers eligible
Transit workers will now be eligible for provincial help who suffer from PTSD as
a result of assault, or other traumatic events they experience on the job.
The Manitoba Labour Board will now presume a workers’ condition was
caused by the job, making it much easier to access supports, treatment and
compensation for PTSD. The new rules extend coverage and benefits to all
eligible workers who are diagnosed with PTSD by a medical professional. This
will ensure timely access to compensation and support services, with the longterm goal of reducing the stigma attached to mental illness. v
The agency strips out and saves all of
the parts from the buses that it finally
takes off the road because
manufacturers no longer make those
parts for the buses Windsor still runs.
As in the United States, the problem
is caused by the elimination of
federal and provincial funding for new
buses several years ago Windsor doesn’t
plan to spend any money to replace
their buses for the next three years.
The city is, however, working with
a private firm to develop a plan to
bring new buses into the system
on a regular schedule in the
future. Windsor is counting on
money from the New Building
Canada Fund to help replace
buses that “have exceeded their
expected useful life,” according to
the city’s proposed 2016 budget. v
IN TRANSIT
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27
Passion et maturité
contrats ou nos liens, ou même nos grèves. C’est l’idée que
nous sommes plus puissants unis qu’isolés.
Le président m’a appelé – mon président de section locale.
« Viendrez-vous à notre dîner du 100 anniversaire l’an
prochain? »
e
« Bien sûr que j›y serai, Danny... »
Ensuite j’apprends qu’il me sera impossible de me désister
– on m’a nommé « invité d’honneur ».
Ce n’est pas mon truc; le dîner, oui – mais je n’aime pas être
« l’invité d’honneur », peu importe l’endroit.
Donc, j’y suis allé. Ce fut un immense plaisir de revoir
700 amis, frères et sœurs de la section locale 726 de Staten
Island, avec qui j’ai travaillé côte à côte pendant plus de
deux décennies.
Ma section locale était beaucoup plus
rude que la vôtre
Ce fut une occasion de se remémorer l’importance d’un
syndicat. Cette section locale a connu de nombreuses
batailles internes, des rancunes, des bagarres et autres
bouleversements. Donc, je peux affirmer à nos sections
locales qui sont aux prises avec des conflits internes : ma
section locale dans les années 1970 et 1980 était beaucoup
plus rude que le vôtre ne l’est aujourd’hui – croyez-moi.
Mais la chose que j’ai apprise, et la leçon pour tous nos
membres est la suivante : les gens qui sont les plus passionnés
dans les combats internes du syndicat – oui, même ceux avec
qui vous n’êtes pas d’accord – se soucient profondément, en
général, du syndicat.
J’ai déjà écrit sur ce sujet, à propos de la querelle interne
qui empêche les syndicats locaux de fonctionner. Nous
avons parfois l’allure d’un débat présidentiel républicain!
Cette puissance grandit lorsque vous la partagez. Dans
vingt ans (vous, les jeunes, pouvez me croire), lorsque vous
vous remémorerez votre vie dans le syndicat, vous verrez
d’un œil différent ce crétin qui vous a couru après, ou le
gars qui a fait une remarque grossière à votre sujet au cours
d’une réunion syndicale. Vous ne vous souviendrez pas du
gars qui a écrit sur vous dans la salle de repos.
Vous regarderez ce que vous avez réalisé ensemble, même
lorsque vous vous entre-déchiriez avec des opinions
différentes. Vous sourirez de voir à quel point vos amis ont
vieilli et combien de cheveux ils ont perdus.
Vous vous direz soit : « Nous avons surmonté nos différences
et fait du monde un endroit meilleur » ou « Je suis content
d’être quitte avec ce gars-là! »
Pensez à la possibilité qui s’offre
à vous
Donc, aujourd’hui, songez à l’occasion que vous avez
entre les mains, tout simplement parce que vous avez
un syndicat qui vous permet d’améliorer la vie de votre
famille, de vos enfants et de votre communauté. Je sais
qu’en se rappelant les dernières 30 années du premier
siècle de la section locale 726 lors de notre célébration, nos
membres savaient que nous avions accompli de grandes
choses : nous avons construit une section locale solide,
uniquement parce que nous avons trouvé le moyen, à
travers un syndicat démocratique, d’être forts ensemble,
dans la solidarité. Et la partie « invité d’honneur »? Ce fut
un honneur de siéger parmi les dirigeants et les membres
d’un syndicat local bien vivant, à l’aube de son deuxième
siècle au service des travailleurs. v
SUR LA PAGE COUVERTURE :
Impossible de trouver de
vieilles rancunes
Mais, revenons à la section locale 726. En regardant les
invités dans la salle, je n’y voyais aucune trace des vieilles
rancunes d’antan. Nous, en tant que génération de
membres, avions mûri. Nous avions compris que ce qui
nous séparait était beaucoup moins important que ce qui
nous avait réunis. Après tout, nous sommes un syndicat.
Le syndicat, me disait un vieil ami, n’est rien d’autre qu’une
idée. Ce n’est pas nos bâtiments ou nos bannières, nos
28
January/February 2016 | IN TRANSIT
Jim Marsh, membre de la section locale 726. Après 30 ans de
conduite d’autobus et d’implication dans son syndicat, vous
pourriez croire que Jim a besoin d’aide. En fait, Jim et ses frères du
726 ont grandi ensemble, se sont aidés mutuellement et ont bâti
une section locale encore plus forte.
Ce que vous ne savez peutêtre pas sur Uber et d’autres
sociétés de transport sur
demande
Si vous êtes un conducteur de transport en commun dans
n’importe quelle grande ville aux États-Unis ou au Canada,
vous avez sans aucun doute entendu parler des nouvelles
« sociétés de réseau de transport » (SRT) qui offrent leurs
services par le biais d’applications sur des téléphones
intelligents et d’autres appareils mobiles. Ces sociétés, telles
Uber et Lyft, sont devenues très populaires en offrant un
service de transport sur demande, à domicile et ce, la plupart
du temps, à un coût moindre que celui d’une course en taxi.
Comme on pouvait s’y attendre, cet avènement a causé de
graves perturbations au sein de l’industrie du taxi qui, elle,
est fortement réglementée. Les conducteurs de SRT, par
exemple, ne sont pas encore tenus d’obtenir des « médailles »
ou de se procurer des permis pour hausser les tarifs en milieu
métropolitain, ce qui a pour effet, entre autres mandats, de
rendre le service de taxi plus dispendieux.
Au début, les conducteurs sur demande voyaient dans cette
industrie un moyen d’obtenir un revenu décent en offrant ce
nouveau service pratique au public. Mais, depuis, le nombre
de conducteurs a monté en flèche, réduisant ainsi le nombre
de courses pour chacun. Résultat : il est maintenant difficile,
voire impossible, pour un conducteur de SRT de gagner un
salaire décent.
Le conducteur que vous embaucherez aujourd’hui à partir de
votre téléphone intelligent sera probablement une personne
retraitée, un travailleur à temps partiel ou même, peut-être,
un membre du SUT effectuant du travail sur demande
durant ses temps libres pour des revenus supplémentaires.
Tout cela est très bien, à moins qu’Uber ou Lyft ne soit votre
seule source de revenus, ou que vous soyez un conducteur à
temps plein dans une industrie perturbée par une horde de
conducteurs à temps partiel branchés à une appli.
« Honte à Uber! »
Les émotions ont débordé à New York où Uber tente d’évincer
du marché son concurrent Lyft en réduisant ses propres tarifs
de 15 pour cent. En clamant : « Honte à Uber! », un groupe
de conducteurs protestait récemment contre cette baisse de
tarifs qui réduit encore plus leurs revenus.
Les protestataires ont lancé un appel à la grève visant à
paralyser le service basé sur une application, mais avec les
35 000 conducteurs travaillant pour Uber dans cette ville,
l’organisation d’un tel moyen de pression au cœur de la
Grosse Pomme semble un défi insurmontable.
Bien entendu, Uber et Lyft évitent la syndicalisation en
affirmant qu’ils offrent uniquement la technologie et non le
service de transport, les conducteurs étant considérés comme
des contractuels et non des employés. Toutefois, le conseil
municipal de Seattle n’a pas souscrit à cet argument : il a
adopté une loi permettant aux conducteurs de ces sociétés de
transport sur demande de se syndiquer.
Les membres du SUT se demandent peut-être : « En quoi
tout cela me regarde-t-il? » Peut-être ne connaissent-ils pas
encore des organisations comme Bridj – une société de
transport qui offre par Internet un service d’autobus de luxe
privés aux travailleurs urbains qui ne veulent pas utiliser le
transport en commun (voir la page suivante).
Transport adapté
De plus, Uber a également fait des percées dans le transport
adapté – captant l’attention des communautés qui souhaitent
réduire leurs coûts actuels en matière de service de transport
pour les malades, les aînés et les personnes handicapées.
À l›instar d›Amazon.com, les SRT élargissent leur accessibilité
en offrant des services qu›ils n›offraient pas auparavant
comme la livraison de colis et de services mécaniques ou
médicaux directement chez vous.
Certains disent que cette tendance fait partie de l’économie
opportuniste croissante qui se dessine en Amérique du Nord.
Peu importe le nom donné à ce phénomène, les nouveaux
fournisseurs de services sur demande commencent déjà à
réduire leurs tarifs tout en continuant d’enrichir les quelques
chanceux qui contrôlent la technologie dont dépendent de
plus en plus de gens pour trouver du travail.
Le SUT évalue présentement cette nouvelle industrie
du transport sur demande, basée sur une appli, pour en
déterminer l’impact, si impact il y a, sur l’emploi de nos
membres et celui des travailleurs du transport en général.
Nous invitons tous ceux qui travaillent pour ces fournisseurs
de transport sur demande, et particulièrement les membres
du SUT, d’entrer en communication avec nous. Toutes
les communications seront traitées de façon strictement
confidentielle. v
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
29
VOICI MAINTENANT :
L’application mobile SUT!
À l›affût des dernières nouvelles et des mises à jour du SUT?
Nous avons une appli pour cela.
À la recherche d›évènements ou d›activités du SUT dans votre région?
Nous avons une appli pour cela.
Voir des photos du SUT en action?
Nous avons une appli pour cela.
Le lancement de l’appli SUT pour téléphones intelligents est le plus récent ajout
du SUT dans ses efforts continus à vouloir se connecter à ses membres et aux
défenseurs du transport en commun, grâce à une technologie de pointe. Le but
de cette première version de l’application est de tester ses caractéristiques et ses
fonctions, et de savoir à quel point vous les aimez. Nous voulons que cela fonctionne
pour vous donc, selon vos commentaires, nous continuerons de faire des réglages
et des ajustements en cours de route.
Visitez le http://bit.ly/1QmdvRt et
commencez à utiliser votre
appli dès aujourd’hui!
30
January/February 2016 | IN TRANSIT
In Memoriam
Death Benefits Awarded November 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
1- MEMBERS AT LARGE
EDWARD HANSEN
RUSSELL E THALMAN
22- WORCESTER, MA
WILLIAM S LA BAIRE
26- DETROIT, MI
GEORGE BROGDON
ROBERT G LOWERS
OSIE WILLIAMS
85- PITTSBURGH, PA
JOSEPH BAROWICH
WALTER F BELL JR
LARRY W BUDD
GREGORY N BURMASTER
JOSEPH J CASALONE
ROBERT E DENK
DONALD J HENDRICKS
WILLIAM R JORDAN
FRANCIS D MANCINE
CHARLES E MC CORMICK
SAMUEL D PERPIGLIA
JAMES A QUATMAN
113- TORONTO, ON
CARMEL BUGEJA
GERRARD CARROLL
JANET CLUETT
ANTONIO D’ANGELO
PATRICK J DESMARTEAU
DENNIS L DEZSI
JOHN W EASTMAN
ROBERT J EVANS
MARCELLO FALLICO
WILLIAM GRANT
NICHOLAS KELLEHER
MICHAEL E KELLEN
VINCENT JOSEPH KUBIAK
JOHN LEVITT
WARREN GANONG MARR
STEVEN J MONTFORT
JAMES MUIR
JULIE M PENNEY
KENNETH ARTHUR REED
ROBERT G RITCHIE
UDO SCHNACK
DAVID VAN VLIET
PAUL WILLIS
192- OAKLAND, CA
JAMES C GARDNER
DORIS L GOELZ
ALOFA T LEA’EA
BRUCE A SCHIFF
LAWRENCE WALTER SMITH
241- CHICAGO, IL
EARL ALLEN
CLARENCE D BAKER
ANNIE M BASEY
WILLIE B BURTON JR
PRESTAL F CARNES
ROBERT F DUNNING
EDWARD FOLAN
MAURICE FRAZIER
TOMMY E GUMBUS
CLAMIE C HERMAN
EDDIE L MASTIN
SAMMY L MILLER
WILBUR J MITCHELL
ROBERT FELIX REVOLT
ALEJANDRO REYES
MADISON SAMPLE
RUSSELL W SCAGGS SR
BENJAMIN SECLER
ROMULO P TAMONDONG
MATTHEW WOODEN
265- SAN JOSE, CA
BILL BARKER
THOMAS A KOSHIYAMA
279- OTTAWA, ON
TODD E DAVIS
LAURIER L TESSIER
282- ROCHESTER, NY
FREDERICK BURLEY
ABE JACOBSON
IRIS T WHITE
308- CHICAGO, IL
BRIAN O BAILEY
DAVID CARUVANA
DARREN T CHANDLER
JOHN L JENNINGS JR
ODIE B JONES JR
RICHARD T LIACE
JESSE MONTERO
CHARLES MORENO
HERBERT J RAINEY
RICHARD A SMITH
OTIS WILLIAMS JR
425- HARTFORD, CT
RANFORD LILLEY
CHARLES MC CARTHY
443- STAMFORD, CT
JOSEPH BENNETT
INEZ F WILLIAMS
448- SPRINGFIELD, MA
DENNIS H STOPA
580- SYRACUSE, NY
JOSEPH P WELCH
587- SEATTLE, WA
RICHARD B GREEN
AUGUST H HOLZER
MICHAEL J TALBOT
ROBERT G TUTTLE
588- REGINA, SK
ROBERT H MC ELROY
589- BOSTON, MA
WILLIAM J COTTER
JAMES A GARNETT
DONALD J HIRL
JOSEPH A KERN
RUSSELL S ROWLING SR
PAUL L RYAN
WINSTON H SPENCER
EVERETT K TANNER
JOHN J WHITE
591- HULL, QC
DENIS MULLEN
HECTOR RENAUD
GASTON SABOURIN
618- PROVIDENCE, RI
RAYMOND A BATTEY
ROBERT MC SPARREN
DONALD J MORRISSETTE
LYDIA E PERDOMO
JOHN PITOCCO JR
689- WASHINGTON, DC
JESUS M AUSTRIA
CALVIN R ELDRIDGE
WILLIE B GARRETT
CHARLES A GRANNELL
ARTHUR JAMES HOLMES
WALLACE C HOWARD
JAMES W LITTLEJOHN
ELMER STEWARD
LLOYD S THACKER
DELANTE’ A TOBE
JAMES ELMER WALTERS
CALVIN O WILLIS
788- ST. LOUIS, MO
MARJORIE EPINGER
CHARLES W LA GRONE
MELVIN L REYNOLDS
1321- ALBANY & TROY, NY
ALLEN R ANDERSEN
WILFRED BROOKS
RICHARD J STEWART
823- ELIZABETH, NJ
WILLIAM H HUNTER
842- WILMINGTON, DE
GEORGE W MUMFORD
1342- BUFFALO, NY
CURTIS BOYD
DENNIS F CLARK
JOHN F KOMINAREK
ROBERT H NISTLER
STANLEY R PAWLICKI
STANLEY G PUFFER
MARCUS P WEATHERLY
880- CAMDEN, NJ
THOMAS MAYO
JOHN SHINN
1374- CALGARY, AB
HARVARD S DUNVILLE
DONALD J ROBERTSON
998- MILWAUKEE, WI
ALBERT DUNLAP JR
CARL C GILBERT
JOSEPH E HORTON
1385- DAYTON, OH
ELMER PENCE
824- NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ
SOLOMON TUBBS
1001- DENVER, CO
KENNETH A BEISEL
JUDY R JOHNSON
1005- MINNEAPOLIS
& ST. PAUL, MN
ROBERT E NELSON
1070- INDIANAPOLIS, IN
JOHN E BEEMER
1181- NEW YORK, NY
JOSEPH CINQUEMANI
LAWRENCE DEIGNAN
GEORGE E GARZILLI
JOSEPH IACOPELLI
MICHAEL J MAFFEO
MARIE PALMERI
JOSEPHINE RAGONESE
VEILLANCE TOUSSAINT
JEFFREY YOUNG
1241- LANCASTER, PA
DONALD J KAYLOR
JAY R MYERS JR
694- SAN ANTONIO, TX
RODOLFO R CANTU
1249- SPRINGFIELD, IL
VICTOR K BAPTISTE
WOODROW KNOLES
726- STATEN ISLAND, NY
ROBERT CALBO
MARK PASSALAQUA
RICHARD SPAGNOLA
1277- LOS ANGELES, CA
LAVELLE CONLEY JR
SALVADOR GALLEGOS JR
KEITH A THOMAS
1287- KANSAS CITY, MO
LESTER F PARKER
558- SHREVEPORT, LA
LOUIS F HALL
732- ATLANTA, GA
WILLIAM M COWARD
JOE DIXON JR
EDDIE F MAYFIELD
JEROME J WILLIAMS
569- EDMONTON, AB
IVAN WILLIAM JOHANSEN
TU A LE
757- PORTLAND, OR
THOMAS E SPEARS
HOMER W STALEY
508- HALIFAX, NS
JAMES W BRINKSCHULTE
DARLENE M LAIDLAW
MURRAY W QUIGLEY
RICHARD W WILKINSON
540- TRENTON, NJ
JEAN MASSENAT
1505- WINNIPEG, MB
VOLTAIRE CORTES
EDWARD HARMS
GEORGE JOHN MULLER
PETER MERION SABADASH
WILLIAM B SMITH
1535- HARAHAN, LA
CALVIN E GASPER
1548- PLYMOUTH, MA
NATHANIEL JULIEN
1572- MISSISSAUGA, ON
VICTOR BUTTIGIEG
JOHN GIBSON
1575- SAN RAFAEL, CA
LEROY FREEMAN
JAMES L GOLDEN JR
ANNE KAYE
WILLIAM C ROOD
1624- PETERBOROUGH, ON
BRADFORD CAMPBELL
1738- LATROBE, PA
RICHARD EDWARD POCHE
1300- BALTIMORE, MD
SEAN G BONADIE
STUART E CLARKE
THOMAS L JOHNSON
BENJAMIN R MANNING
LEROY WOOD
IN TRANSIT
| www.atu.org
31
Amalgamated Transit Union
AFL-CIO/CLC
10000 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20903
www.atu.org
STAY CONNECTED
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PRINTED IN U.S.A.
INTRODUCING:
The ATU Mobile App!
Looking for the latest news and updates about ATU? There’s an app for that.
Looking for ATU events or actions in your area? There’s an app for that.
Looking for photos of ATU in action? There’s an app for that.
The release of the ATU smartphone app is just the latest element of ATU’s
ongoing efforts to connect with ATU members and public transit advocates
using the latest technology. The goal of this first version of the app is to
test its features and functions and see how you like them. We want this to
work for you, so we’ll be making tweaks
and adjustments along the way.
Visit http://bit.ly/1QmdvRt
to get started today!